“Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins has not yet signed a deal for a sequel to the smash hit, two individuals with knowledge of the matter told TheWrap.
Jenkins doesn’t even have an option in place — a contractual safeguard that lets Warner Bros. call her back to duty, one insider said. Jenkins replaced original director Michelle McLaren.
Leading lady Gal Gadot has an option thanks to her overall deal with DC Films Universe, including the upcoming “Justice League.” Her reps are gearing up for a big renegotiation, the insider added.
One individual familiar with the deal also told TheWrap that Warner Bros. wanted hold off on negotiating for Jenkins to return, as well as green light for a sequel, until critical and fan reception rolled in for the first entry.
It is not uncommon for major movie franchises to hire a different director for individual films, though the superhero genre can find their helmers irreplaceable — like James Gunn, who pilots the $1.5 billion “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. Gunn’s second Chris Pratt-Zoe Saldana film earned 54 percent more than its predecessor on opening weekend.
Given that the film has been praised heavily by critics and became the highest-grossing opener ever directed by woman with a $103.3 million debut weekend, it seems like a no-brainer for Warner Bros. to hire Jenkins for the sequel. However, the studio could be waiting for a script to fall into place before deciding which director is best suited for the job. After all, prior to Jenkins’ hit with “Wonder Woman,” she had directed just one movie: her 2003 film “Monster.”
Jenkins has been vocal about her ideas for a sequel, prompting many to believe her return was a sure deal. Speaking with Toronto Sun in April, she said that she “can’t wait to spring forward with who she is and have another great standalone superhero film.”
Warner Bros. declined to comment on the matter.
News of Jenkins’ deal was first reported by THR.
7 Male Superheroes 'Wonder Woman' Beat Critically or Financially (Photos)
Gal Gadot and Chris Hemsworth both agree that Wonder Woman would beat Thor in a fight. Some fans might dispute that, but it's clear Diana Prince's film beat the Son of Odin's. With a 93 percent Rotten Tomatoes and a domestic opening of $103 million, "Wonder Woman" has outperformed some very good male-focused comic book movies. Here's a sampling that makes the case for more superwomen on screen.
The first "Thor" scored 77 percent on Rotten Tomatoes while its sequel, "The Dark World," only grossed $85 million in its opening weekend.
Besides blowing past the $48 million opening for "Batman Begins," "Wonder Woman" scored higher on the Tomatometer than every Batman film ever made except for "The Dark Knight," which just edged out Diana's big debut with a 94 percent score.
"Wonder Woman" finished with a higher opening than Captain America's first two films, with "The Winter Soldier" posting a $95 million opening.
"Wolverine" has been the face of the "X-Men" franchise, yet "Wonder Woman" had a bigger opening than every film featuring Wolverine. It also matched Wolverine's best-received movie, "Logan," on the Tomatometer.
"Wonder Woman" matched 2004's "Spider-Man 2," Spidey's best showing on the Tomatometer. "Wonder Woman" also beat the domestic openings for that film and both "Amazing Spider-Man" films.
"Wonder Woman" posted a higher RT score and overseas opening than both "Guardians" films, and also topped the $94.3 million domestic opening for the first "Guardians" film.
Benedict Cumberbatch's entry into the comic book realm, "Doctor Strange," won critics and audiences over (90 percent on RT), but its $85 million opening couldn't match Diana's debut.
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Success of ”Wonder Woman“ makes the case for more women-focused superhero films
Gal Gadot and Chris Hemsworth both agree that Wonder Woman would beat Thor in a fight. Some fans might dispute that, but it's clear Diana Prince's film beat the Son of Odin's. With a 93 percent Rotten Tomatoes and a domestic opening of $103 million, "Wonder Woman" has outperformed some very good male-focused comic book movies. Here's a sampling that makes the case for more superwomen on screen.
